Timaree Schmit, a sexuality researcher, spoke to NBC News about what might cause the disparity of interest between the two genders.

“They are desiring a view of a sexual experience in which they cannot, by definition, take part,” she said.

“So it has this voyeuristic, naughty, fantastical element, but that’s not for everyone” she insisted.

Searches for the hit game Fortnite also defined 2018, as it rose from obscurity to one of the top 20 searches of the year.

Dr Betito said “searches like these serve as an indication that people use this site to not only satisfy sexual urges but also to get a different angle on something they are already interested in. To see a famous character or hot topic in a sexual context.”